Enzymatic (Liver) Activity in Microgravity Environments

Microgravity has been determined to have a significant impact on liver function in mice after two weeks in space. This experiment will investigate whether microgravity has an immediate impact on the function of catalase enzymes in the liver, which are responsible for the neutralization of hydrogen peroxide toxin in our bloodstream.  Reactants for this experiment will be 1 cc of food-grade, pureed calf liver and 1mL 3% over the counter Hydrogen peroxide. 

Students will gain valuable experience in chemistry, anatomy, current space research topics, microgravity, engineering, experimental design, and critical thinking, even before viewing results from the actual flight.

 These projects can be modified to suit any classroom.

Index:

• Introduction
  Announcements
• General
• Chemistry Simulations: Foundations For Student Knowledge
• Setting Up Our Experiment
• Apparatus and Procedure
• Recording Your Results
• Post-Flight Activity
• Additional Resources
• Educator Feedback
• Send a Postcard to Space!